The president of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem, affirms that the judiciary of any society must be independent and efficient, to be the cornerstone of any democratic system.
The president of the Court of Appeal made the statement on Thursday in Abuja in a goodwill message he delivered at the 63rd Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The theme of the conference is: ‘Do it right; Charting a course for nation building in Nigeria”.
According to Dongban-Mensem, to guarantee this independence and efficiency, access to justice remains a fundamental principle that must be vigorously upheld.
“The justice system must be accessible to all, regardless of their economic or social condition.
“Legal aid programs and pro bono activities play a crucial role in ensuring that justice is not a privilege but a right, and lawyers must uphold the dignity of their clients.
“It is not necessary to announce to the world that you represent it pro-bono, that is part of the nobility of the scientific profession,” he said.
The president of the Court of Appeals reiterated the need for the use of technology, saying that it can revolutionize case management and reduce delays.
According to her, the courts play a vital role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring fair trials and safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
“However, we cannot ignore the challenges plaguing our justice system, ranging from case backlogs to inadequate funding and a dearth of infrastructure.
“The backlog of cases in our courts is a pressing concern that demands our immediate attention.
“The timely delivery of justice is essential, not only for litigants but also for the credibility of our legal system.
“To address this, we must explore innovative methods, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, to speed up the resolution of cases.
“At the Court of Appeal we have an active ADR center in Abuja Division, with branches in Lagos and Port Harcourt Divisions,” he said.
Mr. Dongban-Mensem also said that the legal profession is not immune to challenges, so the need for continuous professional development cannot be overemphasized.
He said that embracing lifelong learning and keeping abreast of legal developments was essential for effective legal professionals.
“The promotion of ethical conduct and professionalism within the legal community is equally important.
“Unfortunately, there have been cases where the professional conduct of some legal professionals has not met the ethical standards we uphold.
“Such criminal activities, whether they involve unethical practices, frivolous litigation or breach of client confidentiality, tarnish the reputation of our entire profession.
“When you choose to join the legal profession, you are subject to the rules and regulations of the association and you may not like some things, but you are bound to respect what is on the ground until you follow the legal means to effect a change.
“It is an act of professional crime to expose our internal differences to the public.”
He said the 2023 conference theme: “Doing It Right” was appropriate and a collective duty of legal professionals to address and condemn behavior that portrayed the profession in a negative light.
“As guardians of justice, we have a solemn duty to uphold the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that the trust placed in us by our clients and the public remains unshakable.”
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He said that the path towards a just society required collective efforts and commitment.
According to her, the Court of Appeal remains steadfast in its dedication to addressing issues head on in collaboration with all stakeholders.
“With shared determination, we can make the administration of justice in Nigeria a model of fairness, efficiency and equality.”
He congratulated the president and members of the NBA, adding that the AGC was indeed a hallmark of unity, knowledge sharing and collective growth within the legal profession.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu declared the 63rd NBA AGC open on Sunday.
The AGC is the largest professional legal decision-making body in Nigeria.
It provides lawyers with the opportunity to strengthen their ties in their dedication to upholding justice, fostering legal excellence, and promoting the rule of law.
(YAYA)